Energy Newsbriefs Blog

This current awareness service is prepared by the WSU Energy Program Library with funding from the U.S. Department of Energy State Energy Program. This information is provided for energy professionals and interested members of the public to highlight recent energy-related news, articles, and reports that discuss energy efficiency, energy conservation, and renewable sources of energy in engineering and policy circles.

Reports on the results of a comprehensive external review of the DOE Bioenergy Technologies Office's research, development, demonstration, and deployment portfolio. The review was "designed to provide an external assessment of the projects in BETO's portfolio and collect external stakeholder recommendations on the overall scope, focus, and strategic direction of the Office. Results from the peer review process are used to inform programmatic decision making; to enhance active project management; and to modify, expand, or discontinue existing projects."

"In response to public interest in customer-sited distributed solar photovoltaics (PV), state and local policymakers have implemented policy initiatives with the goal of encouraging private investment and building a robust PV market. Policymakers face challenges, including limited budgets and incomplete information about the effectiveness of the various policy options in their specific situation and in crafting and executing policy that supports market development goals.

This paper builds on [earlier] research to determine the most effective policy strategies for different types of states, as determined by their physical, demographic and macroeconomic context."

"Cost-effectiveness testing is crucial to the future of energy efficiency programs. Commissions and utilities use cost-effectiveness tests to make decisions about which energy efficiency and other demand-side programs to fund. If a new energy efficiency program doesn’t pass the tests, it may never be created. And in some states, programs are being constrained or even eliminated as a result of these tests.

The National Home Performance Council (NHPC) is proposing a solution in the form of a new framework for the tests. The Resource Value Framework (RVF) proposes a number of strategies for ensuring that the tests provide decision makers with accurate information. They include a worksheet to promote transparency and balance in test inputs, alignment of the tests with existing state policies, and use of best practices."

"This is the second of a two-part article discussing the global 'energy problem,' which is not a single issue but, rather, an interconnected web of problems that have significant impact on the global environment and economy."

"The law of unintended consequences is already affecting power markets in Europe and offers valuable lessons for power markets in the rest of the world. Over the last decade, various well-meaning governments and regulators across have created short-sighted renewable energy policies without fully assessing the implications of their actions."

"An existing roof doesn’t need solar panels, vegetation, or a certain membrane color to be environmentally friendly. A truly sustainable roof has the best possible performance for the longest period of time."

"The Baltimore Ravens might as well have just won the Sustainability Bowl. In partnership with the Maryland Stadium Authority (MSA), the organization has earned a LEED-EB Gold certification for M&T Bank Stadium."

"According to the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI), the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has issued 86 rules regulating the HVAC industry in the past 13 years. And that’s just the DOE. Other federal agencies and various levels of government are making rules that impact the HVAC sector, and industry experts are paying close attention to what may lie ahead in 2014."

About

The Energy Newsbriefs Blog is a continuation of the weekly Energy Newsbriefs. Please bookmark this site and return frequently. Although we will not be accepting comments from within the Blog, we would be happy to hear from you by email at library@energy.wsu.edu